SCHOOLS across Tynedale are in the midst of a period of dramatic change which has included sharing resources through federations, academy conversions and a shift towards two-tier education.

Against a backdrop of many rural first schools converting to primaries, and other schools embarking on consultations with staff and parents about joining a Multi-Academy Trust, the education watchdog Ofsted has just announced its own plans for change over the next five years.

The organisation’s corporate strategy for 2017 to 2022 is a lengthy document, but contains a number of key changes which could have an impact on how standards of teaching and learning across the district are scrutinised.

Some of the headline points suggest a move towards more transparency within the system which could make a huge difference to the education children receive.

More and more schools are being taken over by academy chains – such as Bright Tribe’s bid for Haydon Bridge High School – which help manage schools and can set things like teachers’ pay, the curriculum and even the length of the school day.

Struggling schools are often run by such trusts, because any school rated inadequate is automatically forced by the Government to become an academy, and often seeks out a large sponsor to support it.

But until now, there has been no mechanism to specifically inspect these trusts.

However, under it’s new strategy, Ofsted says it will work on a system of inspections for them.

Top performing schools will also be inspected more often under the new regime.

Currently, educational establishments which achieve an outstanding rating can go for up to six or seven years without another inspection, during which time a lot can change.

Ofsted’s new pledge is that inspectors will attempt to visit more outstanding schools within the time frame allowed with a view to maintaining high standards.

But that in turn means fewer inspections for schools which are judged to be good.

In order to make time for the high-flyers and not neglect schools which are struggling, the new plan suggests that good schools may find themselves receiving less frequent visits.

The way inspections are carried out is also set to be overhauled, with plans for special training to try to guard against unconscious bias by Ofsted officials.

The document says that inspectors will be better trained to identify how disadvantaged groups are doing within schools and how to best advise teachers to help them, as part of a drive to improve social mobility.

Teachers will be interested to learn that the validity of lesson observations as part of inspections is set to be examined, while there are also plans to pay more attention to what both parents and children think of a school and the way reports are presented.

The new strategy says: “We will explore other ways of making sure parents, learners and employers can make their own views heard.

“We will use our growing digital expertise to build on the success of Parent View, learning from other areas of the public sector, such as NHS Choices, or commercial entities.

More may be revealed on the changes next month, when Ofsted’s national director for education Sean Harford is due in the North-East to act as a keynote speaker at the Every Child’s Progress Counts conference, organised in collaboration with the Federation of Leaders in Special Education.

But many teachers are concerned, with the strategy already attracting criticism from unions.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (recently formed from the NUT and the ATL) said: “The NEU welcomes Ofsted’s focus on the needs of children with the publication of its strategy document.

“However, Ofsted does not have a monopoly on high expectations for pupils.

“Teachers, school leaders and TAs work relentlessly to ensure all children can access the best possible education.

“Ofsted needs to understand that the interests of educational professionals are indistinguishable to those of students.

“We cannot have high quality education if teachers are being driven into the ground through excessive workload and the unreasonable expectations of an out-of-control accountability system, in which Ofsted plays a leading role.

“Until Ofsted can convince the education profession that its inspections are reliable and consistent, leaders, teachers and TAs will continue to regard it as part of the problem, not the solution, to improving educational outcomes for students and educational standards overall.”

Here in Northumberland, deputy leader of the county council and cabinet member for children’s services, Coun. Wayne Daley, said work was currently being carried out to analyse the impact of the changes on schools across the county.

The authority’s interim director of children’s services, Andy Johnson, said: “The council welcomes any changes to the Ofsted framework for inspection.

“We continue to work in close partnership with Ofsted and feel that their judgements on schools are accurate and useful.

“The changes to the framework are designed to enhance outcomes in our schools and this continues to be our top priority.”